Situated at the upper end of the Izu Peninsula, Atami’s rich and storied history dates back to the discovery of natural hots springs (onsen) there around the fifth century. In the years since, the area has built a laudable reputation as a seaside resort renowned for those very hot springs. During Japan’s bubble economy in the 1980s, Atami was a popular destination for business retreats and many large hotels were built on the coast to accommodate affluent working professionals. Today, as more young people are visiting the area and foreign tourists are discovering this part of Shizuoka Prefecture, the town is gaining recognition and popularity for its unique take on a retro Showa Era vibe as many of the buildings are being remodeled and revived as shops, hotels and ryokan (traditional Japanese inns).
As a resort town, Atami is home to a wide variety of ways to relax and spend quality time. The area boasts several bespoke golf courses where guests can enjoy the stately views as they hit the links. Numbered among several well-respected art museums, the MOA Museum of Art, home to an excellent collection of Japanese and East Asian art, is a stand-out, must-see. With all of these choices available, there are also many choices of lodging. However, few can match the sophistication and refinement of the Hotel GrandBach Atami Crescendo.
Forest mansion
The Hotel GrandBach Atami Crescendo, a luxury resort perched at an altitude of over 360 meters on Mount Izu, overlooks the picturesque Sagami Bay. Passing through the lobby, guests are welcomed by views of the sea and mountains. Standing on the wooden deck, which overlooks Atami, guests can see the promise of the extraordinary. The hotel offers the best in deluxe accommodations and sumptuous food. The Hotel GrandBach Atami Crescendo is much more than a hotel: The facility is a full-service wellness resort, hidden away in quiet and rich nature.
With its name inspired by German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, guests are invited into an exquisite healing space by live piano music every day, promising a journey full of music. Entering the hotel, guests will be struck by the grand piano and the aroma of “Music Forest,” a scent of red pine that is used in the making of violins and pianos that marks the beginning of the “Hotel GrandBach” journey. The aroma essence is available at the hotel’s souvenir shop to serve as a memento of a wonderful time.
Currently undergoing renovations to provide an even more tantalizing and engaging experience, the hotel will host a grand reopening from August 2024. Along with 16 refurbished rooms, the main building and facilities, including the lobby, the FUGA restaurant, the Library Bar Magdalena and the public bath are on schedule for the grand reopening. The first floor of the guest room building includes eight twin rooms, including a Hollywood twin and the GrandBach deluxe twin room. The second floor of the building showcases eight more rooms, including a Hollywood twin and the GrandBach deluxe triple room. Seven of the rooms feature open-air baths, while all other rooms feature deluxe baths fed by hot springs. Serta mattresses, mini bars, refrigerators stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, Bluetooth speakers, French presses, big screen TVs and many other amenities ensure the most luxurious stay for guests. The wooden deck has also been expanded, allowing guests more space to enjoy chatting in the Atami sun, or relaxing with a book and a cocktail. In the summer, a barbecue with family is a perfect way to enjoy the sunset.
Fueling the body
The main building houses the lobby, reception, the Library Bar Magdalena and, most importantly for food lovers, the FUGA restaurant. Boasting “Atami Cuisine,” FUGA aims to bring the best offerings from the land and the sea directly to the table in grand fashion. Working under a thoughtful farm-to-table philosophy, all ingredients are sourced from within a mere 50 kilometers of Atami, coming from the foot of Mount Fuji to Mount Izu, as well as the waters around Atami.
Working closely under the supervision of an executive chef trained in French culinary techniques in Michelin-starred restaurants in both France and Japan, FUGA brings guests the very best in fresh, flavorful seasonal dishes. The menu at FUGA aspires to embrace the changing of the seasons, bringing a bounty of the region’s best-known specialties to create dishes that make the best possible use of ingredients available for a truly unique dining experience.
Not only are the dishes tasty, fresh and seasonal, FUGA strives to create breakfast options that enliven, energize and awaken the body. Overseen by a licensed dietitian and by using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the morning meal typically features a drink supplement, a Shizuoka fruit and vinegar drink, yogurt, fruit and a seasonal salad. This is followed by a choice of eggs and a vegetable main or chazuke (tea, dashi or hot water poured over rice and other ingredients). Other items such as sausages, bread and more, round out a flavorful and healthful morning repast.
With an unparalleled dedication to the finest cuisine, FUGA provides diners with the best food to fuel their days.
Time to relax
In addition to the private baths in the guest rooms, a spacious onsen bath with spectacular, breathtaking views of the bay and the beaches below is also available. In order to fully appreciate the exclusive setting and truly unwind, there is nothing like a trip to SPA Crescendo. With a variety of treatments available, including oil and aroma massages, spa professionals can help guests calm down both physically and mentally. The Esalen treatment features a therapist working and stretching the whole body, bringing deep healing and selecting oils based on guests’ mood and physical feeling. The Lieve treatment works to facilitate blood flow throughout the body while alleviating stiffness. The Lieve treatment uses high-quality essential oils taken from various organically grown plants. With different treatment plans available, SPA Crescendo can accommodate the needs of any guest, ensuring an even more relaxing stay.
As part of the hotel’s renovations, GrandBach now has a barrel sauna made from Hokkaido cedar. The sauna offers a panoramic view of Sagami Bay during the day and views of the stars above and Atami’s famous fireworks below at night. The outdoor area also has a cold plunge and deck chairs to fully reset your mind and body. The 2.5-hour program is a perfect way to spend quality time with friends or family.
Amazing Atami
With stunning views, the Hotel GrandBach Atami Crescendo is the optimal locale for sophisticated, chic, high-end accommodations along with spa services, a bar and incredible cuisine.
Getting there
Atami Station is about 50 minutes from Tokyo Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Hotel GrandBach Atami Crescendo is about 15 minutes from Atami Station by taxi.
Hotel GrandBach Atami Crescendo
Address: 1048-4 Izusan, Atami, Shizuoka, Japan
Tel: 0557-82-1717
URL: https://www.grandbach.co.jp/atami/en/index.html
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